Ross Abberfield Guest Speaker

Ross Abberfield Goulburn Murray Valley Regional Fruit fly Coordinator stated fruit fly was a massive issue in the Goulburn Valley being a threat to horticulture where 50% of Australian apples, 70% of pears and 100% of canning pears are grown.

Community involvement through Councils, growers and community groups have responded well.

Ross spoke on his experiences as a member of the Rotary Vocational Training Team visiting Canada and touring farms and processing and research facilities.

East Coast of USA and Canada was an historical area with generational roots with large scale horticulture. Visited the Great Lakes, and Amish farms, and exchange team members who visited Australia last year.

Cornell University research into fruit fly, new styles of horticulture developing new varieties.

Diversified farms with big acreage leading the way in robotics, packing sheds automated with new generation equipment.

Trip enabled partnerships and relationships to be developed with industry representatives with view for exchange of information and tours, building a network across three nations.